Angus, a 2012 graduate in Astrophysics from the University of Edinburgh, joined the QinetiQ graduate scheme in September 2013, having spent a year travelling and working throughout Europe and the US. “I found QinetiQ on LinkedIn and was immediately attracted by the company and its range of opportunities,” explains Angus. Currently based in QinetiQ’s Maritime division at Haslar in Gosport, Hampshire, Angus lives in Portsmouth, a mere ferry and cycle journey away from work!
Since joining QinetiQ, Angus has shown an admirable degree of tenacity: he’s volunteered himself to shadow the bid managers at our Rosyth site in Scotland and Winfrith in Dorset. Furthermore, he’s currently on a two-week stint in marketing – again, completely organised independently by him. “I wanted to know what happens in Marketing: on my second day in the department, I was building a Throne for Games (see our Twitter pages) – a competition to encourage young people to think about apprenticeship schemes at QinetiQ. I’m also going to be interviewing and filming some apprentices, too.”
Angus Irvine
It’s early days and the opportunities are countless; Angus’ next three-month module will be in computers and, he’s hoping, sales: “So far, I loved everything I’ve done. My confidence has grown and I feel comfortable wherever I go.”
Our graduates have a six-monthly plan, which usually includes a handful of specific goals. One of Angus’ goals is to work towards obtaining Chartered Engineer status with the Institute of Physics. “I have a Personal Development Manager, Sue Mostyn, who I meet once a month; she’s incredibly supportive and encouraging.”
Angus, who grew up in Aberfeldy, Scotland, with five younger sisters, has been a keen basketball and volleyball player, and whilst at university spent three of his summers working a on a summer-camp in Connecticut. In his spare time he also likes to play acoustic guitar.
Our graduate scheme is just part of QinetiQ’s drive to ensure that the younger generation is given opportunities to be part of a thriving UK workforce. We recently launched The 5% Club, a joint initiative with liked-minded companies, which aims to encourage as many as possible of the UK’s FTSE350 businesses or equivalent size to commit to having at least 5% of their workforce comprising young people – apprentices, graduates or sponsored students on structured training schemes – within five years. As a founding member, QinetiQ aims to reach the 5% target by 2015.